Have you ever passed someone playing music on the street, on the subway, or in the airport? Chances are you have. There is also a good chance that you stopped, listened for a few seconds, and continued on your way.
You aren’t alone if this is the case. It’s just the way life is with everyone rushing off to their next destination. But this story might just make you stop and listen longer next time.
When Whittaker heard the piano music, he felt the urge to stop and listen.
Sitting at the airport bar in front of the piano, Whittaker listened to Carter play for an hour and a half and eventually struck up a conversation.
Carter shared with Whittaker that he was on dialysis for nine hours every night due to kidney disease. And every day, after those nine hours of life-saving dialysis treatment, he comes to the airport and plays the piano for four hours for times.
Hearing this touched Whittaker, so; he decided to use his platform of over 200k Instagram followers, also called his “InstaFamilia,” to give Carter the biggest tip of his life.
Thirty minutes after Whittaker posted to his Instagram, he raised $10,000, which he told Carter and captured his reaction.
After Carter got onto his flight, he informed his followers they could still donate via online cash sharing apps, and less than three days later, he raised $61,000!
“I just lost it. I thought he was kidding; I just couldn’t believe it. That just doesn’t happen,” Carter told a news reporter. “I didn’t know how to feel. This is the kind of thing I do. I love giving and donating and helping people, but I never expected someone to do it for me.”
Since he was six years old, Carter knew he was meant to play the piano after his father, a pianist, took him to a Ray Charles concert. “Once it’s in your heart, it’s in your, and it ain’t going anywhere,” he said about the piano.
Due to kidney diseases, Carter had to stop playing in bands and working on cruise ships, but he still keeps the music alive for himself and others.
Although Carter is in a position where he could benefit from using this money to take time off, he doesn’t plan to, for him, playing music has never been about the money, but for the love of the music and says that he intends to use some of the money to help others.
At 66-years old, Carter says it right, “there is only one way to say thank you because words are inadequate. And that is to pay it forward.”
Be sure to check out the video below to hear more about Carter’s touching story and Whittaker’s act of kindness. And remember, stop and listen to the music.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
